A classic corkscrew is a must-have, but it’s not always the right tool for the job. A fragile aged cork, a particularly tight seal, or a wine you want to preserve all require a different approach. From traditional openers to innovative preservation systems, these five wine tools offer solutions beyond a simple twist and pull.
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The Waiter's Friend
Compact, reliable, and widely used by professionals, the waiter's friend (also known as a sommelier knife) is the most common wine opener. It features a fold-out spiral, a small, serrated blade for cutting foil, and a hinged lever that rests on the bottle lip to provide leverage when removing the cork. With a bit of practice, it offers an easy, precise way to open most bottles.
Best for: Everyday use, professionals, and those who appreciate a simple, effective tool.
Less effective for: Older wines with fragile corks, as the spiral can cause breakage.
The Waiter's Friend
The Ah-So opener
Older wines often have delicate corks that can crumble under the pressure of a standard corkscrew. The Ah-So opener, also called a two-prong opener, works by sliding thin metal prongs between the cork and the bottle neck, allowing for a gentle extraction without breaking the cork.
The name Ah-So is sometimes said to come from the German phrase "Ach so!", meaning "Ah, I see!", supposedly referring to the moment when a user realises how the tool works. Another name for this opener is the butler’s thief, based on the idea that a discreet butler could remove a cork without damaging it, then reseal the bottle—helpful for secretly sampling expensive wines.
Best for: Aged wines with natural corks that may be fragile.
Less effective for: Synthetic corks or young wines with a firm seal.
The Ah So Bottle Opener
The Durand
For particularly delicate corks, the Durand combines the benefits of an Ah-So opener with a traditional corkscrew. The spiral holds the cork securely while the Ah-So prongs prevent it from crumbling. This makes it one of the best tools for opening older bottles without compromising the wine.
This dual-action grip is said to make The Durand more effective than an Ah-So alone, especially for corks that are weak, crumbling, or deeply seated in the bottle neck. By securing the cork from both the inside and outside, it reduces the risk of breakage or cork fragments falling into the wine.
The Durand is a patented tool developed by wine collector Mark Taylor as a solution for fragile corks in aged wines. Named in honour of sommelier Yves Durand, it has since become widely regarded as the preferred opener for collectors and professionals handling well-aged bottles.
Best for: Fine wines with older corks that may disintegrate.
Less effective for: Everyday wines with firm or synthetic corks.
The Durand opener
The wine preservation system
A wine preservation system, such as Coravin, allows wine to be poured without removing the cork, preserving the remaining wine for weeks, months, or even years. Instead of opening the bottle in the traditional sense, it provides access to the wine while preventing oxidation, making it a valuable tool for collectors, sommeliers, and enthusiasts who want to enjoy a bottle over time.
The device works by inserting a thin, hollow needle through the cork. As wine is extracted, argon gas is injected into the bottle to replace the lost volume. Argon is an inert gas, meaning it does not react with the wine or affect its flavour. Because the cork naturally reseals itself after the needle is removed, the wine inside remains protected from oxygen exposure.
Wine preservation systems are particularly useful for sampling high-end wines over time, offering tasting flights, or serving premium wines by the glass in restaurants and wine bars. However, they do not work on screw caps and are less practical for wines meant to be consumed in one sitting.
Best for: Preserving wine quality over time and enjoying bottles by the glass without compromising the remaining wine.
Less effective for: Screw cap bottles or wines meant to be consumed in one sitting.
The Coravin
The Champagne sabre
A Champagne sabre is a short, blunt-edged sword designed specifically for sabrage, the dramatic technique of opening a bottle of sparkling wine by striking the neck with a single, controlled motion. Instead of easing the cork out by hand, sabrage uses the bottle’s internal pressure to force the cork and glass collar to break away cleanly.
The tradition of sabrage is said to date back to Napoleon Bonaparte’s cavalry officers in the early 19th century. After victories, they would celebrate by opening Champagne with their swords, supposedly inspired by Napoleon’s remark that "Champagne! In victory, one deserves it; in defeat, one needs it." Today, sabrage remains a theatrical way to mark special occasions, often performed at formal events and celebrations.
However, sabrage requires skill and proper safety precautions. The force involved can be unpredictable, and the risk of glass breakage means it should only be attempted by those with experience. For most occasions, removing the cork by hand is the safer and more practical option.
The Champagne sabre
Choosing the right tool for the job
The best wine tool is the one that works for you. While aged wines benefit from gentler extraction methods and preservation tools can extend a bottle’s life, personal preference and skill play a big role too. With so many tools available, the key is finding one that suits your needs - whether it’s practicality, tradition, or a touch of flair.
Want to learn more about serving wine the right way? Read our guide on Frequently Asked Questions About Serving and Decanting Wine to discover when and why decanting matters, how to serve wine at the right temperature, and more.
